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Xu R, Jiang Z, Yang Q, Bloino J, Biczysko M. Harmonic and anharmonic vibrational computations for biomolecular building blocks: Benchmarking DFT and basis sets by theoretical and experimental IR spectrum of glycine conformers. J Comput Chem 2024; 45:1846-1869. [PMID: 38682874 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.27377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Advanced vibrational spectroscopic experiments have reached a level of sophistication that can only be matched by numerical simulations in order to provide an unequivocal analysis, a crucial step to understand the structure-function relationship of biomolecules. While density functional theory (DFT) has become the standard method when targeting medium-size or larger systems, the problem of its reliability and accuracy are well-known and have been abundantly documented. To establish a reliable computational protocol, especially when accuracy is critical, a tailored benchmark is usually required. This is generally done over a short list of known candidates, with the basis set often fixed a priori. In this work, we present a systematic study of the performance of DFT-based hybrid and double-hybrid functionals in the prediction of vibrational energies and infrared intensities at the harmonic level and beyond, considering anharmonic effects through vibrational perturbation theory at the second order. The study is performed for the six-lowest energy glycine conformers, utilizing available "state-of-the-art" accurate theoretical and experimental data as reference. Focusing on the most intense fundamental vibrations in the mid-infrared range of glycine conformers, the role of the basis sets is also investigated considering the balance between computational cost and accuracy. Targeting larger systems, a broad range of hybrid schemes with different computational costs is also tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqin Xu
- Department of Physics, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Qin Yang
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Science, Prague, Czechia
| | - Julien Bloino
- Classe di Scienze, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Malgorzata Biczysko
- Department of Physics, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
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Uribe L, Lazzari F, Di Grande S, Crisci L, Mendolicchio M, Barone V. Accurate structures and rotational constants of bicyclic monoterpenes at DFT cost by means of the bond-corrected Pisa composite scheme (BPCS). J Chem Phys 2024; 161:014307. [PMID: 38958160 DOI: 10.1063/5.0216384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The structural, conformational, and spectroscopic properties in the gas phase of 20 bicyclic monoterpenes and monoterpenoids have been analyzed by a new accurate, reduced-cost computational strategy. In detail, the revDSD-PBEP86 double-hybrid functional in conjunction with the D3BJ empirical dispersion corrections and a suitable triple-zeta basis set provides accurate geometrical parameters, whence equilibrium rotational constants, which are further improved by proper account of core-valence correlation. Average deviations within 0.1% between computed and experimental rotational constants are reached when taking into account the vibrational corrections obtained by the B3LYP functional in conjunction with a double-zeta basis set in the framework of second-order vibrational perturbation theory. In addition to their intrinsic interest, the studied terpenes further extend the panel of systems for which the proposed strategy has provided accurate results at density functional theory cost. Therefore, a very accurate yet robust and user-friendly tool is now available for systematic investigations of the role of stereo-electronic effects on the properties of large systems of current technological and/or biological interest by experimentally oriented researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Uribe
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Federico Lazzari
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Grande
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Crisci
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Mendolicchio
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Di Grande S, Barone V. Toward Accurate Quantum Chemical Methods for Molecules of Increasing Dimension: The New Family of Pisa Composite Schemes. J Phys Chem A 2024; 128:4886-4900. [PMID: 38847454 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.4c01673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The new versions of the Pisa composite scheme introduced in the present paper are based on the careful selection of different quantum chemical models for energies, geometries, and vibrational frequencies, with the aim of maximizing the accuracy of the overall description while retaining a reasonable cost for all the steps. In particular, the computation of accurate electronic energies has been further improved introducing more reliable complete basis set extrapolations and estimation of core-valence correlation, together with improved basis sets for third-row atoms. Furthermore, the reduced-cost frozen natural orbital (FNO) model has been introduced and validated for large molecules. Accurate molecular structures can be obtained avoiding complete basis set extrapolation and evaluating core-valence correlation at the MP2 level. Unfortunately, analytical gradients are not available for the FNO version of the model. Therefore, for large molecules, an accurate reduced-cost alternative is offered by evaluation of valence contributions with a double-hybrid functional in conjunction with the same MP2 contribution for core-valence correlation or by means of a one-parameter approximation. The same double-hybrid functional and basis set are employed to evaluate zero-point energies and partition functions. After the validation of the new models for small systems, a panel of molecular bricks of life has been used to analyze their performances for problems of current fundamental or technological interest. The fully black-box implementation of the computational workflow paves the way toward the accurate yet not prohibitively expensive study of medium- to large-sized molecules also by experimentally oriented researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Di Grande
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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Uribe L, Di Grande S, Crisci L, Lazzari F, Mendolicchio M, Barone V. Accurate Structures and Rotational Constants of Steroid Hormones at DFT Cost: Androsterone, Testosterone, Estrone, β-Estradiol, and Estriol. J Phys Chem A 2024; 128:2629-2642. [PMID: 38530336 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.4c00573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
A comprehensive analysis of the structural, conformational, and spectroscopic properties in the gas phase has been performed for five prototypical steroid hormones, namely, androsterone, testosterone, estrone, β-estradiol, and estriol. The revDSD-PBEP86 double-hybrid functional in conjunction with the D3BJ empirical dispersion and a suitable triple-ζ basis set provides accurate conformational energies and equilibrium molecular structures, with the latter being further improved by proper account of core-valence correlation. Average deviations within 0.1% between computed and experimental ground state rotational constants are reached when adding to those equilibrium values vibrational corrections obtained at the cost of standard harmonic frequencies thanks to the use of a new computational tool. Together with the intrinsic interest of the studied hormones, the accuracy of the results obtained at DFT cost for molecules containing about 50 atoms paves the way toward the accurate investigations of other flexible bricks of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Uribe
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Grande
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Crisci
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Lazzari
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Mendolicchio
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Barone V. Quantum chemistry meets high-resolution spectroscopy for characterizing the molecular bricks of life in the gas-phase. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:5802-5821. [PMID: 38099409 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp05169b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Computation of accurate geometrical structures and spectroscopic properties of large flexible molecules in the gas-phase is tackled at an affordable cost using a general exploration/exploitation strategy. The most distinctive feature of the approach is the careful selection of different quantum chemical models for energies, geometries and vibrational frequencies with the aim of maximizing the accuracy of the overall description while retaining a reasonable cost for all the steps. In particular, a composite wave-function method is used for energies, whereas a double-hybrid functional (with the addition of core-valence correlation) is employed for geometries and harmonic frequencies and a cheaper hybrid functional for anharmonic contributions. A thorough benchmark based on a wide range of prototypical molecular bricks of life shows that the proposed strategy is close to the accuracy of state-of-the-art composite wave-function methods, and is applicable to much larger systems. A freely available web-utility post-processes the geometries optimized by standard electronic structure codes paving the way toward the accurate yet not prohibitively expensive study of medium- to large-sized molecules by experimentally-oriented researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Barone
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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Crisci L, Di Grande S, Cavallotti C, Barone V. Toward an Accurate Black-Box Tool for the Kinetics of Gas-Phase Reactions Involving Barrier-less Elementary Steps. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:7626-7639. [PMID: 37880932 PMCID: PMC10653117 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
An enhanced computational protocol has been devised for the accurate characterization of gas-phase barrier-less reactions in the framework of the reaction-path (RP) and variable reaction coordinate variational transition-state theory. In particular, the synergistic combination of density functional theory and Monte Carlo sampling to optimize reactive fluxes led to a reliable yet effective computational workflow. A black-box strategy has been developed for selecting the most suited density functional with reference to a high-level one-dimensional reference potential. At the same time, different descriptions of hindered rotations are automatically selected, depending on the corresponding harmonic frequencies along the RP. The performance of the new tool is investigated by means of two prototypical reactions involving different degrees of static and dynamic correlation, namely, H2S + Cl and CH3 + CH3. The remarkable agreement of the computed kinetic parameters with the available experimental data confirms the accuracy and robustness of the proposed approach. Together with their intrinsic interest, these results also pave the way toward systematic investigations of gas-phase reactions involving barrier-less elementary steps by a reliable, user-friendly tool, which can be confidently used also by nonspecialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Crisci
- Scuola
Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli
Federico II, Complesso Universitario di M.S. Angelo, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Grande
- Scuola
Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
- Scuola
Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, I-80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Carlo Cavallotti
- Department
of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, I-20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Barone
- Scuola
Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
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Barone V, Crisci L, Di Grande S. Accurate Thermochemical and Kinetic Parameters at Affordable Cost by Means of the Pisa Composite Scheme (PCS). J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:7273-7286. [PMID: 37774410 PMCID: PMC10601482 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
A new strategy for the computation at an affordable cost of geometrical structures, thermochemical parameters, and rate constants for medium-sized molecules in the gas phase is proposed. The most distinctive features of the new model are the systematic use of cc-pVnZ-F12 basis sets, the addition of MP2 core-valence correlation in geometry optimizations by a double-hybrid functional, the separate extrapolation of MP2 and post-MP2 contributions, and the inclusion of anharmonic contributions in zero-point energies and thermodynamic functions. A thorough benchmark based on a wide range of prototypical systems shows that the new scheme outperforms the most well-known model chemistries without the need for any empirical parameter. Additional tests show that the computed zero-point energies and thermal contributions can be confidently used for obtaining accurate thermochemical and kinetic parameters. Since the whole computational workflow is translated in a black-box procedure, which can be followed with standard electronic structure codes, the way is paved for the accurate yet not prohibitively expensive study of medium- to large-sized molecules also by nonspecialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Barone
- Scuola
Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56125 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luigi Crisci
- Scuola
Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56125 Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Grande
- Scuola
Normale Superiore di Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56125 Pisa, Italy
- Scuola
Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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Barone V. Accurate structures and spectroscopic parameters of α,α-dialkylated α-amino acids in the gas-phase: a joint venture of DFT and wave-function composite methods. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:22768-22774. [PMID: 37591810 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp02503a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Accurate computations of structural, conformational and spectroscopic properties in the gas phase have been performed for two α,α-dialkylated α-amino acids, namely aminoisobutyric acid and cyclopropylglycine. Thanks to the integration of modern double hybrid functionals and wave-function methods, several low-energy structures of the title molecules could be analyzed employing standard computer resources. The computed features of all the most stable conformers of the target amino acids closely match the corresponding spectroscopic parameters issued from microwave spectroscopic studies in the gas-phase. Together with their intrinsic interest, the accuracy of the results obtained with reasonable computer times paves the way for accurate investigations of other flexible bricks of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Barone
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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9
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Barone V, Di Grande S, Lazzari F, Mendolicchio M. Accurate Structures and Spectroscopic Parameters of Guanine Tautomers in the Gas Phase by the Pisa Conventional and Explicitly Correlated Composite Schemes (PCS and PCS-F12). J Phys Chem A 2023; 127:6771-6778. [PMID: 37535450 PMCID: PMC10440789 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c03999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
A general strategy for the accurate computation of structural and spectroscopic properties of biomolecule building blocks in the gas phase is proposed and validated for tautomeric equilibria. The main features of the new model are the inclusion of core-valence correlation in geometry optimizations by a double hybrid functional and the systematic use of wave-function composite methods in conjunction with cc-pVnZ-F12 basis sets with separate extrapolation of MP2 and post-MP2 contributions. The resulting Pisa composite scheme employing conventional (PCS) or explicitly correlated (PCS-F12) approaches is applied to the challenging problem of guanine tautomers in the gas phase. The results are in remarkable agreement with the experimental structures, relative stabilities, and spectroscopic signatures of different tautomers. The accuracy of the results obtained at reasonable cost by means of black-box parameter-free approaches paves the way toward systematic investigations of other molecular bricks of life also by non-specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Barone
- Scuola
Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Grande
- Scuola
Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, Pisa 56126, Italy
- Scuola
Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, Napoli 80138, Italy
| | - Federico Lazzari
- Scuola
Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, Pisa 56126, Italy
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